Delivered Over to Death for Jesus’ Sake

Some people will join a church because they want to be a part of a good community — have friends, improve their business, and be able to make a good impression with others. And, all that might work, if the church they attend is a “feel good” church where “You’re okay. I’m okay. We can all believe whatever we want and accept all beliefs.” Everybody in the congregation will accept every wrong behavior and belief that God’s word condemns because they are proud of being “non-judgmental” and politically correct.

But, the apostle Paul lets us know, in a number of places in his New Testament letters, that those who faithfully stick up for God’s truths will face all sorts of troubles, tribulations, and hardships. As Paul described his hardships in dealing with unbelievers, within and outside of the church, he was so aware of his earthly weaknesses in a human body. Then, he explained in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12,

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.

Here we see what the life of a staunchly, honestly true Christian is like. Paul was “afflicted”, “perplexed”, “persecuted”, “struck down”, and, even “dying” for the sake of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Because Paul refused to cave in to the politically correct ways of the world, the Jews; the apostates, who claimed to be true Christians; and the heathen idol worshipers he was hated and persecuted everywhere he turned.

So, he was telling the true Christians in Corinth that they could expect the same sort of treatment from any sort of unbeliever. But, all this suffering and rejection was foretold by Christ. If we suffer for the truths God’s word clearly proclaims, we are “being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

That’s admitting that true Christians will suffer for their faith — in whatever ways their circumstances bring about. But, nevertheless, their suffering will be to Jesus’ glory in the end. The unbelievers won’t see it that way — but, in heaven, all those who hold to the true faith will be glorified to Jesus’ honor. Their faithfulness and love of the truth in every circumstance will prove to be beneficial to everyone — and that will altogether glorify Christ’s love, faithfulness, strengthening power, and pure grace.

The bottom line: we need to learn the wonders of God’s truths, believe them, and apply them to our lives. Then, in truth we declare, “Hallelujah! Lord Jesus, it is so good to know that Your glory is eternal.”